(aka: GARY’S GARRULOUS GARDENING GUIDE)
By Gary Crispell, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County
I reckon we have seen the last of September and quite possibly the last of the 90-degree days. So, I have mixed feelings about all that. Being a devotee of the ancient Egyptian god, Ra, I rather like a temperature in the nineties. Being a gardener, I prefer a little more rain a lot more regularly. Camelot anyone?
The Accidental Cottage Garden (ACG) would agree with the more rain more often thing. It is sadder than “normal” (which is currently undergoing a redefinition). Most of the perennials have given up and gone into early hibernation.
The gardenias (Gardenia jasminoides), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) and Stoke’s aster (Stokesia) have passed their prime but continue to attract pollinators and take on interesting shapes that might be used in a Halloween flower bouquet. (Image credit: Javin Griffin)
The few that are left are the oft mentioned Chrysanthemum x ‘I-Don’t-Have-A-Clue’, hardy ageratum or blue mist flower (Conoclinium coelestinum or Eupatorium coelestinum). Take your pick. and gallardia (Gallardia pulchella), and Autumn Joy sedum (Hylotelephium “Herbstsfreude” ‘Autumn Joy”). BTW, this stonecrop is a cross-genus hybrid. It is a cross between Sedum telephinum and a species of ice plant, Hylotelephinum spectabile. (This insignificant bit of trivia is included in your subscription at no extra cost.)
Autumn Joy sedum is a year round plant. In spring, it has rounded, fleshy green leaves followed by light pink flower buds during the summer. In the fall, the flowers open and are quite attractive to butterflies and bees. In the winter season, browned seed heads are also eye-catching. (Image credit: David J. Stang CC BY-SA4.0)
The African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) and zinnias (Zinnia elegans) have come back after some rain and much needed dead heading. And that’s all, folks. The gardening season starts to wind down in October unless you are doing some extensive landscaping. So, here’s the list of stuff to keep you off the streets for another month.
Lawn Care
Keep leaves from accumulating on newly seeded or overseeded lawns. Keep those same lawns moist until germination then be sure they get 1” of water per week, ½” per watering. Continue mowing cool season lawns (fescue, bluegrass, perennial rye) at 3 ½” to 4”.
Fertilizing
We are essentially done here except for spring-flowering bulbs (daffodils, tulips, crocuses, etc.). Incorporate a little balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or equivalent) into the soil in and around the planting hole. Store leftover fertilizer in a dry place for the winter.
Planting
FALL IS FOR PLANTING! It’s the truth in this part of the world. It is especially true for containerized and B&B (balled and burlapped) nursery material (trees and shrubs). Planting them now gives them the opportunity to grow sufficient roots to withstand our now inevitable summer dry spells.
Want some color through the winter? Think pansies. This hardy member of the Viola genus will cheerily grace your yard with an almost endless display of delightful color throughout the winter. The sooner you plant them the more able they will be to survive the coldest North Carolina nights. One caveat; deer find them irresistible. They’re like dessert after a hearty meal of azaleas.
Pansies are loved by humans and deer. They are a colorful way to enjoy blooms in the fall, winter and early spring. (Image credit: David Monniaux CC BY-SA 3.0)
Spring-flowering bulbs should be planted this month. They need a period of cold before sprouting. Peonies can be planted/transplanted now. If you are not planting a fall veggie garden, consider planting a cover crop such as red clover (Trifolium pratense) or winter rye (Secale cereale). These plants are nitrogen-fixing (They add nitrogen to the soil) and can be tilled in in the spring. Win, win, win. Do you have a cold frame? Now is the ideal time to plant a salad garden to keep you in greens all winter. Leaf lettuces, green onions, spinach, radishes & carrots will keep you eating healthy ‘til spring.
Pruning
Wait until after a killer frost (which used to come in October but may no longer arrive until November. Climate change. Adapt or find a good therapist. After said frost it will be time to finish cleaning out the perennial garden. Ignore the advice and habit of your grandmothers and do not cut back all the perennials. There are solo bees (read pollinators) and some other beneficial insects that lay eggs on and in the stems. Leaving the stems until spring helps to ensure another generation. Root prune any shrubs or trees that you want to move in the spring.
Spraying
Hopefully by now most of the pests have gone into overwinter mode. There are a couple that you can still battle with. Lace bugs, especially on azaleas and pyracantha, can be active all winter whenever the leaf surface temperature suits them. The other treatable pests are the scale insects found most often on euonymus and camellias, though they will occasionally find other plants to their liking. I had some on a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) in a previous garden. Both of these pests can be treated with a horticultural oil that will smother all the stages of their life cycle.
Propagation
Are you starting new plants from cuttings? Be sure to check them at least twice a month for overall health and vigor. Water as needed. (That’s PRN for the medical gardeners out there.) If you are one of the fortunate few with a rhubarb patch now is a good time to divide the plants. It really prefers colder climes than USDA Zone 7. Rhubarb is a favorite in this house, but ain’t no way we’re movin’ north far enough to grow it. Been there. Done that and did NOT get the tee shirt.
Other Fall Appropriate Outdoor Activities
Besides snow skiing and outdoor ice hockey, what isn’t appropriate for a delightful October day? Ok, I’ll limit the list to gardening activities (mostly).
- GET A FREE SOIL SAMPLE NOW! There is a monetary charge for them between November and April.
- Make a compost pile out of the inevitable leaf collection on your yard. The landfill doesn’t need them.
- Clean and fill bird feeders.
- Clean out any unoccupied bird houses to get them ready for winter borders.
- Dig up tender summer-flowering bulbs (gladiolas, dahlias, caladiums, etc.) and store them in a cool dark place where random rodents can’t access them.
- Clean and lubricate lawn and garden equipment that won’t be used again until next season.
- Go for a hike in the woods. The Eno River is especially lovely in the fall but check to see which parts are open.
- Fire pits and s’mores come to mind. (I said mostly garden stuff.)
- Find some kids and carve pumpkins (around the fire pit with s’mores and hot chocolate).
- Enjoy the crispness of October ‘cause it’ll be cold soon.
Happy October, y’all!
Additional Reading and Resources
Looking for a “spooky” garden as we move into fall and winter? Ariyah Chambers April gives advice on designing a Goth Garden. This article was originally posted in October, 2024 and remains a favorite of many blog readers. https://wp.me/p2nIr1-5cW.
Even if you have little space, it is possible to have a small container garden for some fresh herbs and vegetables during the fall and winter. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/how-to-create-a-container-garden-for-edibles-in-the-north-carolina-piedmont
It’s not too early to start thinking about winterizing your plants and deciding whether they should be kept outdoors or indoors. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/preparing-nursery-plants-for-winter
Edited by Martha Keehner Engelke
Shortlink: https://wp.me/p2nIr1-6wX
